Apparatus for treating cotton to reduce the byssinotic effect thereof

ABSTRACT

An apparatus is disclosed for treating cotton with dry steam to reduce the byssinotic effect thereof which comprises means for progressively moving cotton through a treatment zone in a compressed peripherally confined condition from an inlet end thereof to a discharge end thereof by progressively compressing a substantially continuous supply of cotton in generally loose form into the inlet end of the zone while progressively loosening and conveying away compressed cotton from the discharge end of the zone and means for continuously passing dry steam through the compressed peripherally confined cotton progressively moving through the treatment zone at a temperature and for a time period sufficient for the cotton to reach at least approximately 100* C without appreciably wetting the same before moving from the treatment zone.

Crawford [75] Inventor: William B. Crawford, Greensboro,

[73] Assignee: Burlington Industries, Inc.,

Greensboro, NC.

[22] Filed: May 25, 1972 [21] Appl. No; 256,785

[52] U.S. Cl 19/66 R, 19/66 CC [51] Int. Cl D01b 3/04 [58] Field of Search 19/105, 96, 86, 66 R, 64.5, 19/66 CC; 68/5 D, C, 5 E; 8/l49.3

[56] References Cited 1 UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,876,819 9/1932 Wuest 19/105 X 2,068,587 1/1937 Aldrich, Jr.... 19/105 UX 2,129,630 9/1938 Struen 19/64.5 X

3,046,612 7/1962- Kyame et a1 19/203 3,112,139 11/1963 Wildbolz et a1... 19/105 UX 3,319,275 5/1967 Fleissner 68/5 D X 3,319,441 5/1967 Fleissner et a1 68/5 D FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 590,693 3/1925 France up. 19/96 APPARATUS FOR TREATING COTTON TO REDUCE THE BYSSINOTIC EFFECT THEREOF 1,519,615 2/1968 France 19/105 Primary ExaminerDorsey Newton Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Cushman, Darby & Cushman [57] ABSTRACT An apparatus is disclosed for treating cotton with dry steam to reduce the byssinotic effect thereof which comprises means for progressively, moving cotton through a treatment zone in a compressed peripherally confined condition from an inlet end thereof to a discharge end thereof by progressively compressing a substantially continuous supply of cotton in generally loose form into the inlet end of the zone while progressively loosening and conveying awaycompressed cotton from the discharge end of the zone and means for continuously passing dry steam through the compressed peripherally confined cotton progressively moying through the treatment zone at a temperature and for a time period surfiiiit'Fbi'tiEEiYdfit reach at least approximately 100 C without appreciably wetting the same before moving from the treatment zone.

' 12 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures Apr. 9, 1974 y PATENTEDAPR 9 1914 3802 031 sr & a? 2 5754M XHAMUT' UMENIED APR 9 i974 SHEET 2 0F 2 I i l l i l i l 'i" APPARATUS FOR TREATING COTTON TO REDUCE THE BYSSINOTIC EFFECT THEREOF This invention relates to the treatment of cotton and more particularly to improved apparatus for treating cotton with dry steam to reduce the byssinotic effect thereof.

It is known that some types of cotton, during normal textile processing, seem to have an adverse effect on the pulmonary function of personnel working with it. The effect is more prominent with personnel in the opening, blending, carding and spinning than in subsequent operations. This adverse effect gives rise to what is known as Byssinosis and the effect has been referred to as the byssinotic effect of cotton.

In commonly assigned application Ser. No. 249,340

filed May 1, 1972, in the name of William L. Acree,

there is disclosed a procedure for treating cotton with dry steam which substantially reduces, if not eliminates, the byssinotic effect thereof. As stated in the Acree application, it has been found that this result can be obtained by subjecting cotton to a dry steam environment at a sufficient temperature and for a sufficient time for the cotton to reach at least 100 C. The actual time and temperature necessary will depend on the grade of cotton and, in some cases, as much as3O minutes at 125 C may be necessary.

The present invention is more particularly concerned with the provision of apparatus whereby this dry steam treating of cotton can be effectively accomplished economically at a rate which is compatible with the existing continuous on-line processing of the cotton. In its broadest aspects, therefore, the present invention contemplates apparatus for treating cotton with dry steam which is continuous in nature and provides a desirable uniformity of dry steaming at a rate which is compatible with the continuous on-line processing of the cotton. In its more specific aspects, the apparatus of the present invention contemplates means for progressively moving cotton through a treatment zone in 'a compressed peripherally confined condition from an inlet end thereof to a discharge end thereof by progressively compressing a substantially continuous supply of cotton in generally loose form into the inlet end of the zone while progressively loosening and conveying away compressed cotton from the discharge end of the zone, and means for continuously passing dry steam through the compressed peripherally confined cotton progressively moving through the treatment zone at a temperature and for a time period sufficient for the cotton to reach at least approximately lC without appreciably wetting the same before moving from the treatment zone. With this apparatus, the supply of cotton can be obtained from a desirable position in an existing continuous on-line process and conveyed back into the continuous on-line process without in any way providing a limitation on the existing on-line process or apparatus. The apparatus can be adjusted to accommodate the particular flow-rate and once adjusted will operate to effect the dry steam treatment without the necessity'of further manual manipulation by an attendant.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide an apparatus for treating cotton to reduce the byssinotic effect thereof which obtains the advantages set forth above.

Another object of the present invention is the provision of an apparatus of the type described which is simple in construction, effective in operation and economical to manufacture and maintain.

These and other objects of the present invention will become more apparent during the course of the following detailed description and appended claims.

The invention may best be understood wherein an illustrative embodiment is shown.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a somewhat schematic side elevational view, partly in vertical section, of an apparatus embodying the principles of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary front elevational view of the upper portion of the apparatus;

. FIG. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional vie taken along the line 33 of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary sectional view taken along the line 4-4 of FIG. 1.

7 Referring now more particularly to FIG. 1, there is shown thereinapparatus, generally indicated at 10, embodying the principles of the present invention. The apparatus is operable to be used in a conventional continuous cotton processing line. In the drawings, the numeral l2 designates one portion of a pneumatic conveyor in a blending line and the numeral 14 illustrates a portion of a'pneumatic conveyor constituting a continuation of that line, the apparatus 10 being mounted in series therebetween.

As best shown in FIG. 1, the apparatus 10 includes a frame structure, generally indicated at 16, which serves to support an elongated treatment chamber 18 providing an inlet end and a discharge end, a cotton supply feeding mechanism, generally indicated at 20, for feeding a substantially continuous supply of cotton in generally loose form from the pneumatic line 12 to theinlet endof the treatment chamber 18, a cotton compressing mechanism, generally indicated at 22, for compressing the supply of cotton fed to the inlet end of the chamber 18 inwardly thereof, a compressed cotton engaging and loosening mechanism, generally indicated at 24, for engaging the compressed cotton moving outwardly from the discharge end of the treatment chamber 18 and loosening the compressed cotton for conveyance into the pneumatic conveyor line 14, a dry steam injecting mechanism, generally indicated at 26, I

for passing dry steam into the interior of the treatment chamber 18 during the movement of the compressed cotton therethrough, and a dry steam venting system, generally indicated at 28, for venting the dry steam passing through the cotton in the treatment chamber 18.

The frame structure 16 may be of any suitable construction and as shown is made up of conventional structural elements fixedly interconnected by conventional means to provide an upright skeletonized frame. It will be understood that the details of construction of the frame form no part of the present invention and that any suitable detailed construction may be employed which performs the basic function of supporting the component parts of the apparatus 10 in their operative relationship hereinafter to be more fully described.

As best shown in FIG. 1, the treatment chamber 18 is preferably mounted on the frame structure in a generally vertically extending position with the inlet end thereof disposed above the discharge end thereof. The treatment chamber 18 may be of any suitable construction and as shown, is of constant rectangular crossas being of the disc or wheel type, the separator discharging into the upper inlet end of a first inclined chute 32. The chute 32 is carried by the frame structu're 16 so that its discharge end communicates with the inlet end of a second chute 34 fixedly carried by the frame structure in an opposite inclined position. The discharge end of the second chute 34 communicates directly with the inlet end of the treatment chamber 18 and includes a generally laterally extending integral hopper section 36 which is disposed above the inlet end of the. treatment chamber 18.

The cotton compressing mechanism 22 includes a pair of compressing elements 38 which are generally in the form of rectangular pads. Each of the compressing elements is mounted for movement through successive operative cycles, each of which includes a compressing stroke from a position above the inlet end of the treatment chamber 18 adjacent the upper end portion of the hopper section 36 into a compressing position disposed within the inlet end of the treatment chamber and a return stroke. Any suitable means may be provided for effecting the cyclic movement of the compressing elements and, asshown, each of the compressing elements is mounted on the free end of oneof the legs of generally inverted U-shaped mounting arm 40. The opposite free end of each mounting arm is pivotally mounted on the frame structure 16 for pivotal movement about a horizontal axis 42. The mounting arms 40 thus serve to constrain the repetitive cyclical movement of the compressing elements 38 to an oscillatory arcuate or pivotal movement about the axis-42. In the preferred embodiment shown, the pair of compressing elements is mounted in generally side-by-side relation and means, generally indicated at 44,-is provided for effect-' ing the movement of each of the compressing elements through successive cycles of oscillatory movement. It will be understood that the means 44 may assume many different forms. A generally schematic arrangement is illustrated in the drawings which'includes an electric motor 46, drivingly connected to a speed reducing gear box assembly 48 which, in turn, is drivingly connected with a dual crank assembly 50. The dual crank assembly 50 is connectedto the mounting arms 40 by connecting rods 52, the arrangement being such that the oscillatory cycle of one compressing element 38 is approximately i80 out of phase with respect to the oscillatory cycle of the other compressing element 38."An arrangement of this type is considered desirable because of the balance of forces obtained and the saving of power. However, it will be understood that the cycling of the two compressing elements could be operated in phase or that a single compressing-element or more than two could be utilized in lieu of the preferred arrangement shown.

To aid in effecting the compression of the supply of loose cotton from the cotton supply feeding means into the inlet end of the treatment chamber 18 by the compressing elements -38, there is preferably provided a plurality of pivoted detent elements 54 which extend into'the interior of the treatment chamber 18 adjacent the inlet end thereof. The mounting of the detent elements 54 functions to permit movement of cotton downwardly thereby during the compressing strokes of the compressing elements 38 but substantially prevents upward movement of the compressed cotton during the return strokes of the compressing elements 38. ltwill be understood that other ratcheting or detent structures may be provided for facilitating movement of the cotton thereby in only one direction. For example, fixed ratchet or detent surfaces may be formed in the interior walls of the chamber in lieu of the pivoted detents 54.

The compressed cotton engaging and loosening mechanism 24 preferably includes a generally rectangularly shaped upright housing structure 56 communicating directly with the discharge end of the treatment chamber 18 at its upper end. Mounted within the housing 56 in a position spaced just below the upper end thereof is a pair of spiked cylindrical rollers 58. The rollers are mounted, as by shafts 60,. for rotational movement about parallel horizontally spaced axes. The spacing of the axes of shafts 60 is such that the adjacent peripheries of the rollers58 are spaced apart a distance slightly less than the corresponding width dimension of the treatment chamber 18. Any suitable means may be provided for rotating the spiked rollers 58 about the axis of their shafts 60 in opposite directions so that the compressed cotton moving outwardly from the discharge-end of the treatment chamber 18 will be engaged and moved by the spikes extending radially therefrom. As shown, the rotating means includes a variable speed electric motor 62 drivingly connected with the spiked rollers 58,1as by a beltand pulley assembly 64.

Disposed within the housing 56 in a position below and between the spiked rollers 58 is an opening spiked roller 66. The roller 66 is mounted, as by a shaft 67, for rotation about an axis parallel with the axis of the shafts 60and is driven, in a clockwise direction as viewed in FIG. 1, by any suitable means, such as a variable speed electric motor 68 drivingly connected therewith, as by a belt and pulley assembly 69. The lower portion of the housing 56 i disposed below the opening roller 66 is communicated with the pneumatic conveyor tube 14.

Mounted alongside the opening roller 66 for rotation about a parallel axis is a cooperating spiked roller 70 which assists in discharging the loosened cotton from the opening roller 66 into the conveyor 14. The assist roller 70 is in an opposite direction from the roller 66; as by a belt and pulley assembly 71. It 'can be seen that during the rotational movement ofthe opening roller 66, the spikes extending from the periphery thereof will engage the bottom of the compressed cotton moved downwardly by the spiked rollers 58 and by virtue of its greater peripheral speed, the compressed cotton will be loosened and broken up from the compressedcolumn extending thereabove and with the assistance of roller 70 deposited for entrainment in the air stream flowing through pneumatic conveyor tube 14.

As best shown in FIG. 4, the pneumatic conveyor 14 is disposed so that the direction of air flow andcotton movement is parallel'with the axes of rotation of the rollers 66-and 70. The conveyor 14 includes an inlet connection 72 with the semi-cylindrical bottom portion of the housing 56 which provides for downward deflection of the incoming air to minimize turbulence.

The dry steam injecting mechanism 26 may likewise assume many different configurations. The preferred arrangement as shown includes a generally rectangularly shaped manifold casing 74 suitably secured to the exterior periphery of the metal walls defining the central portion of the treatment chamber 18. The interior of the walls of the casing 74 defines with the coextensive exterior surface of the chamber walls an annular space for receiving steam through a valve controlled inlet line 76 communicating therewith and with a suitable source of dry steam (not shown). The dry steam within the manifold space is distributed, as uniformly as possible, into the central interior of the treatment chamber 18 at a plurality of positions spaced peripherally about the central portion of the treatment chamber. With the rectangularly shaped chamber 18 shown, substantially uniform distribution is obtained by the provision of a series of inlet openings 78 formed in the side walls defining the interior of the treatment chamber. By positioning the dry steam injecting mechanism 26 at the central portion of the treatment chamber 18 a desirable flow of dry steam through the compressed cotton passing downwardly through the treatment chamber is obtained.

Since the dry steam flow extends both upwardly and downwardly, the dry steam venting system 28 is preferably constructed to handle the dry steam discharge from both ends of the treatment chamber. To this end, a perforated dry steam discharge manifold 80 is formed in the upper annular portion of the housing 56. This manifold is communicated with one end of a duct 82, the opposite end of which communicates with a vacuum source, such as a fan or the like, schematically indicated at 84 in FIG. 1. The vapors passing upwardly through the inlet end of the treatment chamber 18 are collected in a hood structure 86 mounted on the frame in a position above the hopper section 36 of the second chute 34. The upper end of the hood 86 communicates with an intermediate portion of the duct 82, as by a branch conduit 88.

The conditions under which the various component elements of the apparatus are operated in order to carry out the method in accordance with the present invention will vary depending upon the characteristics of the particular flow line in which the apparatus is installed. The essential condition in the operation of the apparatus 10 is that it should be operated so'as to handle cotton in-the line at a rate which is commensurate with the rate of movement through the line under existing circumstances and so that the cotton from the line during the progressive movement thereof through the treatment chamber 18 is subjected to a dry steam environment at a temperature and for a time sufficient to raise the temperature of the cotton to at least approximately 100 C.

A typical cotton processing line flow rate is of the order of 3,000 pounds of cotton per hour. In order to operate at a production rate of this magnitude, the apparatus 10 is provided with a treatmentchamber in which the distance between the side walls is approximately 18 inches and the distance between the end walls is approximately inches, the chamber having a height of approximately 96 inches from its inlet end to its discharge end. The cycling of the cotton supply compressing mechanism 22 and the rate of movement of the compressed cotton engaging and loosening mechanism 24 are adjusted to achieve a compression of the cotton moving through the treatment chamber 18 of approximately 5 pounds per cubic foot. With this compression, the dry steam distributing mechanism 26 is capable of distributing substantially uniformly to the compressed cotton in the treatment chamber 18 at a manifold pressure of approximately 1/2 pound per square inch. The dry steam is preferably at a source temperature of approximately 1009-1 l0 C. With the per minute. These conditions are established by effecting an operation of the cotton compressing mechanism 22 at a rate of approximately 15 cycles per minute with the pair of compressed cotton moving rollers 58 having a peripheral speed of approximately 1.3feet per minute, the cotton opening roller 66 and assist roller 70 being driven so as to have peripheral speeds of approximately 2,520 and 945 feet per minute, respectively.

' It will be understood that all of the above conditions may be varied in order to treat the cotton to the essential conditions necessary to reduce the byssinotic effect thereof at a cotton processing line rate of production. The above exemplary conditions are thus subject to variation both upwardly and downwardly within the context of the above.

It thus will be seen that the objects of this invention have been fully and effectively accomplished. It will be realized, however that the foregoing preferred specific embodiment has been shown and described for the purpose of illustrating the functional and structural principles of this invention and is subject to change without departure from such principles. Therefore, this invention includes all modifications encompassed within the spirit and scope of the following claims.

1 claim:; I 1. Apparatus for treating cotton to reduce the byssi notic effect thereof comprising means defining a chamber having an inlet end and a discharge end for peripherally confining cotton for progressive movement from the inlet 'endthereof to the discharge end thereof, means for feeding a substantially continuous supply of cotton in generally loose form adjacent the inlet end of said chamber, means for progressively compressing the supply of cotton inwardly into the inlet end of said chamber, means adjacent the discharge end of said chamber for progressively engaging the cotton compressed into and peripherally confined within said chamber and for progressively loosening and conveying away the loosened cotton, means for continuously distributing dry steam into the interior of said chamber through the compressed cotton progressively moving therethrough at a temperature and for a time sufficient for the cotton to reach at least approximately C without appreciably wetting the same before moving from the discharge end of said chamber, a vacuum air source, and means for communicating said vacuum air source to the inlet and discharge ends of said chamber to thereby collect the dry steam passing through the 7, compressed cotton progressively moving through said chamber.

2. Apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said chamber is disposed generally vertically with the inlet end above the discharge end thereof.

3. Apparatus as defined in claim 2 wherein said cotton supply feeding means comprises a separator' adapted to be mounted in a pneumatic conveyor in a cotton blending line or the like, and inclined chute means extending from said separator to the inlet end of said chamber for directing cotton separated by said separator downwardly into a position'adjacent the inlet end of said chamber.

4. Apparatus as defined in claim 2 wherein said cotton compressing means comprises a compressing element mounted for movement through successive operative cycles each including a compressive stroke from a position above said inlet end to a position inwardly of said inlet end and a return stroke.

5. Apparatus as defined in claim 4 wherein said cotton compressing means comprises a second compressing element mounted for movement through successive operative cycles in side-by-side relation to said first mentioned compressing element.

6. Apparatus as defined in claim 2 wherein said compressed cotton engaging and loosening means comprises a pair of spiked' rollers mounted for rotational movement about spaced parallel horizontal axes below said discharge end so that the. peripheral surfaces thereof are spaced apart a distance less than the corresponding dimension of said chamber to thereby engage the compressed cotton progressively moving outwardly of the discharge end of said chamber and means for rotating said rollers about their axesin a direction to control the progressive movement of. the compressed cotton outwardly of said discharge end.

7. Apparatus as defined in claim 6 wherein said compressed cotton engaging and loosening means further includes a third spiked roller mounted below and bethe lower end of the compressed cotton moved outwardly. of the discharge end of said chamber by said roller at a lesser speed and in an opposite direction I therefrom. v

8. Apparatus as defined in claim '7 wherein said compressed cotton engaging and loosening means further includes a pneumatic conveyor :disposed below said third spiked roller in a position to receive the cotton loosened thereby and to convey the same therefrom.

9. Apparatus as defined in claim 2 wherein said dry steam distributing means comprises a dry steam manifold disposed in surrounding relation to said chamber adjacent the central portion thereof, and means defining a multiplicity of dry steam'inlet openings communicating said manifold with the interior of said chamber for directing a supply of dry steam under pressure communicated with said manifold inwardly of the periphery of the compressed cotton pro'ressively moving within said chamber.

10. Apparatus for treating cotton to reduce the byssinotic effect thereof comprising means defininga chamber having an inlet end and a discharge end for 'peripherally confining cotton for progressive movement from the inlet end thereof to the discharge end thereof, said chamber being disposed generally vertically with the inlet end above the discharge end thereof, means for feeding a substantially continuous supply of cotton in generally loose form adjacent the inlet end of said chamber, means for progressively compressing the sup-, ply of cotton inwardly into the inlet end of said chamber, means adjacent the discharge end of said chamber forprogressively engaging the cotton compressed into and peripherally confined within said chamber and for progressively loosening and conveying away the loosened cotton, and means for continuously distributing dry steam into the interior of said chamber through the compressed cotton progressively moving therethrough at a temperature and for a time sufficient for the cotton to reach at least approximately 100 C without appreciably wetting the same before moving from the discharge end of said chamber, said cotton compressing means comprising a first compressing element mounted for movement through successive operative cycles each including a compressive stroke from a position above said inlet end to a position inwardly of said inlet end and a return stroke and a second compressing element mounted for movement through successive operative cycles in side-by-side relation to said first compressing element, each of said compressing elements being in the form of a generally rectangular pad fixedly connected to one end of a mounting arm, each mounting arm being mounted for pivotal movement about a common generally horizontally extending axis and means operatively connected with each mounting arm for effecting pivotal movements thereof in opposite'directions to effect movement of the associated compressing element through said operative cycles.

11. Apparatus as defined in claim 10 including detent means in said chamber adjacent the inlet end thereof operable to permit downward movement of cotton thereby and to prevent upward movement of cotton thereby.

12. Apparatus for treating cotton to reduce the byssinotic effect thereof comprising an upright skeletonized frame structure, means carried by said frame structure defining a vertically extending chamber of rectangular cross-sectional configuration having an upper inlet end and a lower discharge end for peripherally confining cotton for progressive movement downwardly therethrough, a separator adapted to be mounted in a pneumatic conveyor extending above said frame structure in a cotton blending line or the like, inclined chute means carried by said frame structure adjacent the upper end portion thereof extending from said separator to the inlet end of said chamber for directing cotton separated by said separator downwardly into a position adjacent the inlet end of said chamber, a pairof generally rectangularly shaped cotton compressing pads, a mounting arm for each pad fixedly connected therewith, means mounting said mounting arms on said frame structure for pivotal movement about acommon generally horizontally extending axis, means operatively connected with each mounting arm for effecting oscillatory cycles of pivotal movement thereof, each including a compressive stroke wherein the associated pad is moved from a position above said inlet end to a position inwardly of said inlet end and a return stroke, detent means in said chamber adjacent the inlet end thereof operable to permitdownward movement of cotton thereby and to prevent upward movement of cotton thereby, a housing carried by said frame below said chamber communicating at its upper end with the discharge end of said chamber, a pair of spiked rollers mounted in said housing for rotational movement about spaced parallel horizontal axes below said discharge end so that the peripheralsurfaces thereof are spaced apart a distance less than the corresponding dimension of said chamber to thereby engage the compressed cotton progressively moving outwardly'of the discharge end of said chamber, means for rotating said pair of spiked rollers about their axes in a direction to control the progressivemovement of the compressed cotton outwardly of said discharge end, a third spiked roller mounted in said housing below and between said pair of spiked rollers in a position to engage the lower end of the compressed cotton moved outwardly of the discharge end of said chamber by said pair of spiked rollers, means for effecting rotational movement of said third spiked roller at a speed sufficient to loosen and break up the compressed cottonengaged thereby, a pneumatic conveyor communicating with the lower end portion of said housing below said third spiked roller in a position to receive the cotton loosened thereby and to convey the same therefrom, a dry steam manifold. disposed in surrounding relation to said chamber adjacent the central portion thereof, means defining a multiplicity of dry steam inlet openings communicating said manifold with the interior of said chamber for directing a supply of dry steam under pressure communicated with said manifold generally uniformly inwardly of the periphery of the compressed cotton progressively moving within said chamber, a negative pressure air source, and means for communicating said negative pressure air source to the inlet and'discharge ends of said chamber to thereby collect the dry steam passing through the compressed cotton progressively moving through said chamber. 

1. Apparatus for treating cotton to reduce the byssinotic effect thereof comprising means defining a chamber having an inlet end and a discharge end for peripherally confining cotton for progressive movement from the inlet end thereof to the discharge end thereof, means for feeding a substantially continuous supply of cotton in generally loose form adjacent the inlet end of said chamber, means for progressively compressing the supply of cotton inwardly into the inlet end of said chamber, means adjacent the discharge end of said chamber for progressively engaging the cotton compressed into and peripherally confined within said chamber and for progressively loosening and conveying away the loosened cotton, means for continuously distributing dry steam into the interior of said chamber through the compressed cotton progressively moving therethrough at a temperature and for a time sufficient for the cotton to reach at least approximately 100* C without appreciably wetting the same before moving from the discharge end of said chamber, a vacuum air source, and means for communicating said vacuum air source to the inlet and discharge ends of said chamber to thereby collect the dry steam passing through the compressed cotton progressively moving through said chamber.
 2. Apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said chamber is disposed generally vertically with the inlet end above the discharge end thereof.
 3. Apparatus as defined in claim 2 wherein said cotton supply feeding means comprises a separator adapted to be mounted in a pneumatic conveyor in a cotton blending line or the like, and inclined chute means extending from said separator to the inlet end of said chamber for directing cotton separated by said separator downwardly into a position adjacent the inlet end of said chamber.
 4. Apparatus as defined in claim 2 wherein said cotton compressing means comprises a compressing element mounted for movement through successive operative cycles each including a compressive stroke from a position above said inlet end to a position inwardly of said inlet end and a return stroke.
 5. Apparatus as defined in claim 4 wherein said cotton compressing means comprises a second compressing element mounted for movement through successive operative cycles in side-by-side relation to said first-mentioned compressing element.
 6. Apparatus as defined in claim 2 wherein said compressed cotton engaging and loosening means comprises a pair of spiked rollers mounted for rotational movement about spaced parallel horizontal axes below said discharge end so that the peripheral surfaces thereof are spaced apart a distance less than the corresponding dimension of said chamber to thereby engage the compressed cotton progressively moving outwardly of the discharge end of said chamber and means for rotating said rollers about their axes in a direction to control the progressive movement of the compressed cotton outwardly of said discharge end.
 7. Apparatus as defined in claim 6 wherein said compressed cotton engaging and loosening means further includes a third spiked roller mounted below and between said pair of spiked rollers in a position to engage the lower end of the compressed cotton moved outwardly of the discharge end of said chamber by said pair of spiked rollers, a fourth spiked roller mounted alongside said third roller, and means for effecting rotational movement (1) of said third spiked roller at a speed sufficient to loosen and break up the compressed cotton engaged thereby and (2) of said fourth spiked roller at a lesser speed and in an opposite direction therefrom.
 8. Apparatus as defined in claim 7 wherein said compressed cotton engaging and loosening means further includes a pneumatic conveyor disposed below said third spiked roller in a position to receive the cotton loosened thereby and to convey the same therefrom.
 9. Apparatus as defined in claim 2 wherein said dry steam distributing means comprises a dry steam manifold disposed in surrounding relation to said chamber adjacent the central portion thereof, and means defining a multiplicity of dry steam inlet openings communicating said manifold with the interior of said chamber for directing a supply of dry steam under pressure communicated with said manifold inwardly of the periphery of the compressed cotton progressively moving within said chamber.
 10. Apparatus for treating cotton to reduce the byssinotic effect thereof comprising means defining a chamber having an inlet end and a discharge end for peripherally confining cotton for progressive movement from the inlet end thereof to the discharge end thereof, said chamber being disposed generally vertically with the inlet end above the discharge end thereof, means for feeding a substantially continuous supply of cotton in generally loose form adjacent the inlet end of said chamber, means for progressively compressing the supply of cotton inwardly into the inlet end of said chamber, means adjacent the discharge end of said chamber for progressively engaging the cotton compressed into and peripherally confined within said chamber and for progressively loosening and conveying away the loosened cotton, and means for continuously distributing dry steam into the interior of said chamber through the compressed cotton progressively moving therethrough at a temperature and for a time sufficient for the cotton to reach at least approximately 100* C without appreciably wetting the same before moving from the discharge end of said chamber, said cotton compressing means comprising a first compressing element mounted for movement through successive operative cycles each including a compressive stroke from a position above said inlet end to a position inwardly of said inlet end and a return stroke and a second compressing element mounted for movement through successive operative cycles in side-by-side relation to said first compressing element, each of said compressing elements being in the form of a generally rectangular pad fixedly connected to one end of a mounting arm, each mounting arm being mounted for pivotal movement about a common generally horizontally extending axis and means operatively connected with each mounting arm for effecting pivotal movements thereof in opposite directions to effect movement of the associated compressing element through said operative cycles.
 11. Apparatus as defined in claim 10 including detent means in said chamber adjacent the inlet end thereof operable to permit downward movement of cotton thereby and to prevent upward movement of cotton thereby.
 12. Apparatus for treating cotton to reduce the byssinotic effect thereof comprising an upright skeletonized frame structure, means carried by said frame structure defining a vertically extending chamber of rectangular cross-sectional configuration having an upper inlet end and a Lower discharge end for peripherally confining cotton for progressive movement downwardly therethrough, a separator adapted to be mounted in a pneumatic conveyor extending above said frame structure in a cotton blending line or the like, inclined chute means carried by said frame structure adjacent the upper end portion thereof extending from said separator to the inlet end of said chamber for directing cotton separated by said separator downwardly into a position adjacent the inlet end of said chamber, a pair of generally rectangularly shaped cotton compressing pads, a mounting arm for each pad fixedly connected therewith, means mounting said mounting arms on said frame structure for pivotal movement about a common generally horizontally extending axis, means operatively connected with each mounting arm for effecting oscillatory cycles of pivotal movement thereof, each including a compressive stroke wherein the associated pad is moved from a position above said inlet end to a position inwardly of said inlet end and a return stroke, detent means in said chamber adjacent the inlet end thereof operable to permit downward movement of cotton thereby and to prevent upward movement of cotton thereby, a housing carried by said frame below said chamber communicating at its upper end with the discharge end of said chamber, a pair of spiked rollers mounted in said housing for rotational movement about spaced parallel horizontal axes below said discharge end so that the peripheral surfaces thereof are spaced apart a distance less than the corresponding dimension of said chamber to thereby engage the compressed cotton progressively moving outwardly of the discharge end of said chamber, means for rotating said pair of spiked rollers about their axes in a direction to control the progressive movement of the compressed cotton outwardly of said discharge end, a third spiked roller mounted in said housing below and between said pair of spiked rollers in a position to engage the lower end of the compressed cotton moved outwardly of the discharge end of said chamber by said pair of spiked rollers, means for effecting rotational movement of said third spiked roller at a speed sufficient to loosen and break up the compressed cotton engaged thereby, a pneumatic conveyor communicating with the lower end portion of said housing below said third spiked roller in a position to receive the cotton loosened thereby and to convey the same therefrom, a dry steam manifold disposed in surrounding relation to said chamber adjacent the central portion thereof, means defining a multiplicity of dry steam inlet openings communicating said manifold with the interior of said chamber for directing a supply of dry steam under pressure communicated with said manifold generally uniformly inwardly of the periphery of the compressed cotton progressively moving within said chamber, a negative pressure air source, and means for communicating said negative pressure air source to the inlet and discharge ends of said chamber to thereby collect the dry steam passing through the compressed cotton progressively moving through said chamber. 